How to Activate Yeast

Do you want to bake bread with confidence? The first step? Learn how to activate yeast. Yes, because baking your homemade bread won't happen without it.

I do get a lot of comments and messages about failed baked breads. Flat, dry, hard, etc. What went wrong? They probably killed the yeast. Yeast works as leavening agent that makes the bread rise.

Below are the steps in proofing yeast. It is actually very simple and easy. Just make sure to follow the important tips and it will be successful. I prepared a video that you can watch below. I also created another article on How to Bake Bread with Success. It's a good read and worth reading because it will really help you a lot.

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​INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup water

1 pack yeast or 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast

1/2 tbsp sugar

PROCEDURE:

Microwave or heat up water in a pan for 30 minutes.

Check water temperature.

Make sure it is between 115-130F

Add the yeast and sugar.

Stir to combine.

Wait for at least 10 minutes to rise.

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​Watch my Video preparing YEAST.

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​​Important Notes:

Liquids that are too hot can kill the yeast.

If your proofing failed, do not use it. Your bread won't rise.

Make sure to check expiration date.

Invest on a food thermometer. It's worth it. You can use it when baking chicken and other meat.

No thermometer? You can still do it but determining water temperature without a thermometer will not give you a precise degree of heat. A simple test I can suggest is to leave your elbow in the water or 5–10 seconds, you’ll be able to form a rough idea of the water’s temperature. If the water feels slightly warm, but not hot, it’s around 100 °F (38 °C). But please do not burn your elbow :)